Pushbutton slide switch assemblies with interconnected laminated slider switch set assemblies allowing only one activated switch in a particular set

ABSTRACT

A pushbutton slide switch includes two sets of switches, two sets of slides in side by side relationship, each slide set including actuating slides movable for selectively actuating a switch within the corresponding switch set, and interlocking disengagement means comprising an interlock connector and an interlock slide in each slide set. The interlock slides are movable by the connector for simultaneous disengagement of at least one switch in a first switch set in response to closing a switch in the other switch set.

United States Patent 91 Mallett et a1.

[ 1 March 6, 1973 PUSHBUTTON SLIDE SWITCH ASSEMBLIES WITH INTERCONNECTED. LAMINATED SLIDER SWITCH SET ASSEMBLIES ALLOWING ONLY ONE ACTIVATED SWITCH IN A PARTICULAR SET Inventors: James A. Mallett, Dorchester; Ed-

ward B. Mitchell, Belmont, both of Mass.

Assignee: Ark-Les Switch Corp., Watertown,

Mass.

Filed: April 2, 1971 Appl. No.: 130,604

US. Cl. ..200/5 EB, 74/483 PB Int. Cl. ..H0lh 9/26 Field of Search ..200/5 E, 5 EA, 5 EB;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,773,139 12/1956 Forstrom et a1 ..200/5 EA 3,142,198 7/1964 Williams ..200/5 EA UX 3,569,639 3/1971 Woodward ..200/5 EB Primary Examiner--J. R. Scott AttorneyMartin Kirkpatrick 5 7 ABSTRACT A pushbutton slide switch includes two sets of switches, two sets of slides in side by side relationship, each slide set including actuating slides movable for selectively actuating a switch within the corresponding switch set, and interlocking disengagement means comprising an interlock connector and an interlock slide in each slide set. The interlock slides are movable by the connector for simultaneous disengagement of at least one switch in a first switch set in response to closing a switch in the other switch set.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED M R 6 1913 SHEET 10F 3 PATENTEB 6 W5 3, 7 1 9 7'86 SHEET 20F 3 FIG 3 PUSIIIIUTTON SLIDE SWITCH ASSEMBLIES WITII INTERCONNECTED LAMINATED SLIDER SWITCII SET ASSEMBLIES ALLOWING ONLY ONE ACTIVATED SWITCH IN A PARTICULAR SET This invention relates to switches. More particularly, it relates to a pushbutton slide switch providing multiple connections.

In many uses of multiple pushbutton switches, it is desirable to provide a large number of possible connections, each of which requires a pushbutton actuator to be provided on the switch housing. If the actuators are arranged in a single row, the shape of the resulting switch housing is narrow and elongated, which is often impractical for attachment to available surfaces, as well as inconvenient in use. Therefore it is desirable to provide an arrangement of the pushbutton actuators that permits the housing to have a compact shape and that groups the actuators conveniently for use.

In particular, two rows of actuators side by side provide a convenient arrangement for use, in which all the actuators are within range of the users hand without the necessity of reaching. However, in single row slide switches, the design of the slides is such that depression of each pushbutton, by moving a slide or slides, disconnects some or all other switches in the row. Where two rows of actuators are employed to move two sets of slides in side-by-side relationship, this disconnecting function must be extended to the second row of slides and actuators.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a multiple pushbutton slide switch of compact convenient arrangement, which provides positive disconnection of some or all other switch elements in response to actuation of a single pushbutton. It is a further object to provide such a switch that is simple in operation, inexpensive to manufacture, and reliable in use.

The multiple pushbutton slide switch of the invention provides at least two sets of electrical switch elements, and at least two corresponding sets of actuating slides. The actuating slides are movable for selectively actuating one switch while disconnecting other switches in the corresponding switch set, and motion-transmitting means are provided for simultaneous disconnection of switches in the remaining switch sets.

In a preferred embodiment, two sets of electrical switch elements are provided, with two corresponding sets of actuating slides, arranged in side-by-side relationship. Two corresponding sets of actuators operate on the slide sets. Each slide set includes actuating slides, movable by the actuators for selectively actuating a switch within the corresponding switch set while disengaging the remaining switches within the set. The motion-transmitting means comprises a rigid elongated connector extending between and parallel to the slide sets, and an interlock slide in each slide set, movable responsive to any actuator operating on the slide set, and adapted to engage the connector. The connector provides an engaging arm at each end for engagement of an interlock slide. When an actuator is depressed, the corresponding interlock slide is moved to engage an engaging arm of the connector, thereby moving the connector and transmitting the motion by the other engaging arm to the remaining interlock slide. Switches in the remaining set are thereby disengaged.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken together with the attached drawings thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the switch;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower portion of the switch;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view, with portions omitted for clarity, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

The pushbutton slide switch of the invention is generally similar in operation to the switch disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,431,904 to Andrews. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the switch is contained in a housing 10, which provides a general on-off switch 12 and four rows of four button actuators 14 in staggered arrangement. Housing 10 may be secured to any convenient surface by four mounting screws 11. A bay 17 is secured to floor 16 by two screws 13. Hole 19 in bay l7 admits a power line to on-off switch 12. A row of holes 18 allows the insertion of wires 20 to the switch elements contained in the housing.

Within bay 17 adjacent each hole 18 there is provided a wire retainer 22, electrically connected by stake 24 through straight portion 21 of retainer 22 to resilient double terminal member 26. Retainer 22 provides a wire-admitting opening 23 adjacent a portion of hole 18 in bay 17. End portion 25 of retainer 22 curves upwardly beyond hole 23, and provides a guiding surface 27 convex to hole 23. A cooperating barb 31 is cut from straight portion 21 and bent downwardly at an angle of about 10. Guiding surface 27 and barb 31 together define a path for wire 20 when it is inserted through holes 18 and 23. End portion 25 of retainer 22 terminates in a sharply edged jaw 29, the gripping edge 19 being directed away from hole 23 and at an acute angle to the path defined by surface 27 and barb 31. Barb 31 provides cooperating sharply edged latching jaw 33, with gripping edge 34 also directed away from hole 23 and at an acute angle to the defined wire path, and located on the opposite side of the defined path from gripping edge 19. Jaw 29 and latching jaw 33 are biased toward one another, and in the absence of a wire, are normally spaced apart by a distance less than the diameter of a wire.

When a wire 20 is inserted through hole 18 in bay l7 and adjacent hole 23 in retainer 22, it is guided by surface 27 and barb 31 the defined path and moves past the two jaws successively, forcing them slightly apart. Both gripping edges 19 and 33 then cooperatively press into wire 20. from opposite sides, exerting a force opposing the retraction of wire 20 out of bay 17. This force increases in magnitude when the wire is under tension, that is, when it is pulled outwardly of bay 17, and jaws 33 and 29 cooperates to provide a pinching action on the retained wire. By this means, wire 20 is effectively retained in electrical contact with double terminal member 26.

Referring now to FIG.- 4, when switch 12 is in the on position, the first contact plate 42 is live, and is connected through a diode 43 to the second contact plate 44. Contact plates 42 and 44 provide a plurality of fixed terminal members 46. Opposed fixed terminal members thus provide two possible connections to the power source for each resilient double terminal member; a connection to any fixed terminal 46 on plate 44 provides one half the power of connection to the opposed fixed terminal member on plate 42.

Each resilient double terminal member 26 provides two contact points 48 and 50 for engaging the fixed terminal members.

Two slide sets 28 and 30 operate on each resilient double terminal member 26 to control its engagement of the fixed terminals. Slide set 28 comprises three actuating slides 28-1, 28-2, 28-3 and an interlock slide 28-4. Slide set 28 is operated by two rows of staggered actuating buttons 14, comprising an actuator set 36. Slide set 30 similarly has three actuating slides and an interlock slide 30-4, and is operated by actuator set 38. Interlock slides 28-4 and 30-4 extend beyond the actuating slides in each set.

Each actuator button 14 provides an actuator arm 40 extending across all four slides in the corresponding slide set.

Disposed between slide sets 28 and 30 is a Z-bar connector 52, supported on insulator 53, and providing two arms 54 and 56. Interlock slides 28-4 and 30-4, extending beyond the actuating slides in each set, engage arms 54 and 56 respectively. The configuration of each interlock slide is such that the depression of any actuator button 14 in the actuator set operating on the interlock slide will move the slide.

Thus, when any button 14 operating on slide set 28 is depressed, interlock slide 28-4 is moved in the direction of arrow 58 and engages arm 54 of Z-bar 52. Arm 56 is thereby moved to engage interlock slide 30-4, moving in the direction indicated by arrow 60. The motion of slide 30-4 is directly proportional to the motion of slide 28-4. This motion disengages all contacts from contact plate 44. Similarly, if any button 14 operating on slide set 30 is depressed, interlock slide 30-4 is moved in the direction of arrow 62 to engage the Z-bar and thereby move slide 28-4 for disengagement of all contacts from contact plate 42.

It will be seen, therefore, that in a pushbutton slide switch construction in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, depression of any actuator on either side of the switch will automatically and simultaneously disengage all other switches on both sides, permitting construction and use of a compact multicontact switch. However, interlock slides could be provided of a design to selectively disengage one or more switches in a set without disengaging all of them, should that be desired.

What is claimed is:

1. A pushbutton slide switch including at least two sets of electrical switch elements,

at least two corresponding sets of actuating slides,

said sets being arranged in side-by-side relationship, each said slide being movable for selectively actuating a said switch while disengaging all remaining said switches in the corresponding switch set,

an actuator for each said switch, operating on said actuating slides of said corresponding set, and

motion-transmitting means responsive to actuation of any said switch in any said switch set, for transmitting motion to at least one said switch in another said switch set for operation thereof, comprising an interlock slide in each said slide set movable responsive to any actuator operating on its corresponding said slide set, and

connecting means connecting said interlock slides for movement of each of said interlock slides directly proportionately to movement of the other of said interlock slides.

2. The switch of claim 1 wherein said connecting means is a rigid elongated member extending between and parallel to said slide sets, and provides an engaging arm of each end for engagement by a said interlock slide.

3. A pushbutton slide switch including first and second sets of pairs of electrical contact elements,

first and second sets of slides for selectively actuating a said contact pair within a corresponding said set, first and second interlock slides,

a connector connecting said interlock slides,

each interlock slide being movable between a first position simultaneously disengaging at least one said contact pair within a corresponding said set, and a second position movably engaging said connector,

each said interlock slide being moved to said second position by actuation of a said contact pair within the corresponding said set, and being moved to said first position by said connector in response to actuation of a said contact pair within the other said set,

whereby, when a contact pair within a said set is actuated, at least one contact pair within the other said set is automatically disengaged. 

1. A pushbutton slide switch including at least two sets of electrical switch elements, at least two corresponding sets of actuating slides, said sets being arranged in side-by-side relationship, each said slide being movable for selectively actuating a said switch while disengaging all remaining said switches in the corresponding switch set, an actuator for each said switch, operating on said actuating slides of said corresponding set, and motion-transmitting means responsive to actuation of any said switch in any said switch set, for transmitting motion to at least one said switch in another said switch set for operation thereof, comprising an interlock slide in each said slide set movable responsive to any actuator operating on its corresponding said slide set, and connecting means connecting said interlock slides for movement of each of said interlock slides directly proportionately to movement of the other of said interlock slides.
 1. A pushbutton slide switch including at least two sets of electrical switch elements, at least two corresponding sets of actuating slides, said sets being arranged in side-by-side relationship, each said slide being movable for selectively actuating a said switch while disengaging all remaining said switches in the corresponding switch set, an actuator for each said switch, operating on said actuating slides of said corresponding set, and motion-transmitting means responsive to actuation of any said switch in any said switch set, for transmitting motion to at least one said switch in another said switch set for operation thereof, comprising an interlock slide in each said slide set movable responsive to any actuator operating on its corresponding said slide set, and connecting means connecting said interlock slides for movement of each of said interlock slides directly proportionately to movement of the other of said interlock slides.
 2. The switch of claim 1 wherein said connecting means is a rigid elongated member extending between and parallel to said slide sets, and provides an engaging arm of each end for engagement by a said interlock slide. 